Katash fired after just over a year as coach of Hapoel Tel Aviv

Assistant Sharon Avrahami named as new coach.

By ALLON SINAI
Updated: NOVEMBER 4, 2015 13:23
Hapoel TA coach Oded Katash (photo credit: ADI AVISHAI)
Hapoel TA coach Oded Katash
(photo credit: ADI AVISHAI)
A coaching reign that began with great promise last summer ended in bitter disappointment on Tuesday morning when Oded Katash was fired by Hapoel Tel Aviv.
Katash’s assistant Sharon Avrahami – who was hired by team management at the start of the season – was named as his replacement.
Katash signed a three-year deal with Hapoel in the summer of 2014, but never managed to live up to expectations and was sacked on Tuesday, hours after his team capitulated against Ironi Nahariya in BSL action.
Hapoel led by as many as 22 points in the second quarter, only to fall to an 80-75 defeat to Nahariya – its third straight loss – and drop to 1-3 on the season.
“I’m responsible for this defeat and I remain 100 percent committed to ensuring Hapoel has the strongest team possible,” Katash said on Monday night following the defeat.
However, Katash was called in for a meeting with the club’s management on Tuesday morning and told that he will no longer coach the team due to its disappointing start to the campaign. Hapoel reached the BSL quarterfinals in Katash’s first season at the club in 2014/15, being swept by eventual champion Hapoel Jerusalem.
“In a meeting held with Oded Katash today the sides decided to part ways,” read a Hapoel press release.
“Oded arrived at the beginning of last season and led the team to the State Cup quarterfinals and the BSL playoff quarterfinals. We thank him for his professionalism and all he invested and wish him all the best in the future.”
Katash’s time at Hapoel continues his roller-coaster coaching career.
The 41-year-old guided Hapoel Gilboa/Galil to a BSL championship and experienced a successful stint at Hapoel Eilat, but also left Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Jerusalem and now Hapoel Tel Aviv mid-season.